Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the campaign after two years at the club, head coach Christophe Galtier confirmed on Thursday.
Galtier added ahead of PSG’s meeting with Clermont on Saturday that this will be Messi’s last game at the Parc des Princes. Messi’s contract will expire at the end of June.
“I had the privilege of coaching the best player in soccer history,” said Galtier. It will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope he will be warmly welcomed. »
PSG had acquired Messi in August 2021 in hopes of finally winning a UEFA Champions League title. The Parisian team is still waiting.
Although PSG won an 11e Ligue 1 title this year, he was once again ousted from Europe’s most prestigious club tournament in the round of 16.
Messi’s career in France has been bumpy. Despite his excellent statistics, the Argentinian has been identified by many PSG supporters as the scapegoat for the Parisian club’s repeated failures – they have in fact whistled and booed him in recent weeks.
After struggling to adapt his game to that of Ligue 1 – the holder of seven Ballons d’Or in his career had been limited to just six goals in his first 26 games – Messi has raised his level of play by a spunk this season and has developed great chemistry with French star player Kylian Mbappé.
In 31 domestic games, the 35-year-old veteran scored 16 goals and collected as many assists. Moreover, Messi has netted 21 times and added 20 assists to his PSG record in all competitions.
“This year, he has been an important cog in the team; always available, always involved during training sessions, said Galtier. All the comments, and all the criticisms towards it are unjustified. »
Despite Galtier’s good words, PSG weren’t always very happy with Messi’s behavior.
Earlier this season, the Parisian club suspended the World Cup champion after he took a trip to Saudi Arabia without telling him.
Messi has struck a business deal with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism to the Middle Eastern country, and persistent rumors are sending him there at the end of the campaign.
Other rumors also suggest that he will return to FC Barcelona, where he spent most of his career, or with an MLS club based in the United States.
Messi arrived at FC Barcelona at the age of 13 and won 35 titles there in all competitions. He has contributed to four UEFA Champions League titles, 10 in the Spanish La Liga, seven in the Copa del Rey and another eight in the Spanish Super Cup.
Messi also became the top scorer in the history of the Catalan club with 672 goals in 778 games, and the top scorer in the Spanish Liga with 474 successes in 520 games.